Hawaii

GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR

DurationDuration 6-8 hrs
DirectionTour Directions 3
tour Tour Stops 22
$19.99

Description

Get an in-depth look at Oahu on the Grand Circle Island Tour! You’ll travel the island stopping at world-renowned surf spots, historic sites, foodie towns, and the famous North Shore.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

•⁠ Watch surfers at Banzai Pipeline
•⁠ Hike to a waterfall at Waimea Valley
•⁠ Eat garlic shrimp in Kahuku and shave ice in Haleiwa
•⁠ Snorkel at Shark’s Cove (no sharks)
•⁠ Grab a Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Recommended Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
Tour Starting Point(s): Waikiki, Ko Olina or Turtle Bay Resort
Direction: Counterclockwise loop, ending where you began

All Shaka Guide tours come with reliable customer support and a satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Tour Stops

Preview Audio

Start of Tour - Waikiki
Intro to Tour
Intro to the Tour
BYODO INN TEMPLE

Tour Route

Important Travel Info

Safety & Etiquette
Budgeting, Fees & Reservations
Time & Schedule
Suggested Packing List

NOTE: Waves can get rough in winter (October-April). When in doubt ask a lifeguard.

In Hawaiian the word malama means “to take care” and the word aina means “land.” When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you practice this and pick up your trash; respect the marine life, plants, and animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources for generations by respecting the aina when you visit.

Click here to learn more about how to be a responsible traveler in Hawaii.

NOTE: Most of the food trucks in Kahuku are cash only.

$5 per person: Byodo-In Temple (cash only)

$18/adult and $12/child per person: Waimea Valley entry

$15 per person: Lunch

$25/adult and $21/child per person: Dole Plantation — Train, Maze and Garden pass

$6 per person: Dole Whip

This tour traverses Oahu traveling to the island’s North Shore. We recommend starting before 9am if you plan on visiting all 23 stops on this tour.

The Dole Plantation closes at 4:30pm, so plan accordingly.

  • Very Important: Car Charger
  • Sneakers 
  • Hiking Clothes 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Bug Spray (for Waimea Valley)
  • Towel 
  • Bathing Suit 
  • Sandals 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Sun Glasses and/or Hat 
  • Snacks 
  • Cash 
  • Phone Mount 

Tour FAQs

This tour has three starting points, Waikiki on the south shore of the island; Ko Olina on the west side; and Turtle Bay on the north shore. Regardless of where you start, the tour will travel in a counterclockwise loop, ending where you began.

 

Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour! 

 

  • Byodo-In Japanese Temple
  • Sunset Beach 
  • Banzai Pipeline 
  • Haleiwa 
  • Shark’s Cove
  • Kahuku Shrimp trucks 
  • Kualoa Ranch 
  • Polynesian Cultural Center 
  • Waimea Valley 
  • Waimea Bay
  • Dole Plantation 

For help planning your day check out our Oahu Grand Circle Island Tour suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!

Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs:

  • $5.00 per person: Byodo-In Temple (cash only)
  • $18.00/adult and $12.00/child per person: Waimea Valley entry
  • $15.00 per person: Lunch
  • $25.00/adult and $21.00/child per person: Dole Plantation — Train, Maze and Garden pass
  • $6.00 per person: Dole Whip
  • $4.00 per person: Pie at Ted’s Bakery or shave ice at Matsumoto’s

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

  • Sneakers 
  • Hiking Clothes 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Bug Spray (for Waimea Valley)
  • Towel 
  • Bathing Suit 
  • Sandals 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Sun Glasses and/or Hat 
  • Snacks 
  • Cash 
  • Car Charger *Very Important*
  • Phone Mount 

    • Leonard's Bakery  5:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m, open daily 
    • Moanalua Gardens CLOSED
      • Green World Coffee   7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
        • Dole Plantation  9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., open daily 
          • North Shore Soap Factory Weekdays 10AM–4PM                                              Saturday 8:30AM–4PM Sunday Closed
          • Matsumoto Shave Ice  10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, open daily 
            • Waimea Bay    10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
              • Hawaiian Temple - Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau    7AM–5:30PM  Daily
                • Ted's Bakery  8:00 AM - 6:30 PM, open daily  
                  • Kahuku Shrimp & Food Trucks  10AM–6PM daily
                    • Laie Temple  9 AM to 9 PM daily
                      • Laie Point   7AM–6:45 PM  daily
                        • Polynesian Cultural Center  12:45 PM – 9:00 PM, open Monday - Saturday, closed Sundays. Restaurant and Marketplace open at 11:00 AM
                          • Kahana Bay 7AM–8PM  Daily
                            • Kualoa Ranch  8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., open daily  
                            • Byodo In - Japanese Temple 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., open daily

                              No, this tour can only be done counterclockwise. If you’re looking for a similar experience but want to travel clockwise around the island starting your day on the North Shore check out our Legendary North Shore Loop

                              

                              Do you have other questions that we didn’t list here? 

                              Feel free to message us through the in-app chat box, Facebook Messenger, our emailor give us a call at 1-888-250-2261. We will be glad to help and answer your questions as soon as possible!


                              Mahalo,

                              Shaka Guide

                              Purchase BundlePurchase Bundle & Save

                              Oahu Driving & Walking Tour Bundle

                              $29.99
                              $59.9850% off

                              • GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR
                                GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR
                              • EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
                                EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
                              • HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONOLULU TOUR
                                HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONOLULU TOUR
                              • HONOLULU'S BACKYARD RAINFOREST TOUR
                                HONOLULU'S BACKYARD RAINFOREST TOUR
                              • HEART OF WAIKIKI WALKING TOUR
                                HEART OF WAIKIKI WALKING TOUR
                              • LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE LOOP
                                LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE LOOP

                              Hawaii Tour Bundle Collection

                              $79.99
                              $159.98 50% off

                              • HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK TOUR
                                HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK TOUR
                              • NORTH ISLAND JUNGLE ADVENTURE LOOP
                                NORTH ISLAND JUNGLE ADVENTURE LOOP
                              • KOHALA COAST BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
                                KOHALA COAST BACKCOUNTRY TOUR
                              • SOUTH ISLAND EPIC COASTAL JOURNEY
                                SOUTH ISLAND EPIC COASTAL JOURNEY
                              • KONA BIG KAHUNA TOUR
                                KONA BIG KAHUNA TOUR
                              • NORTH SHORE KAUAI DRIVING TOUR
                                NORTH SHORE KAUAI DRIVING TOUR
                              • WAIMEA AND NA PALI DRIVING TOUR
                                WAIMEA AND NA PALI DRIVING TOUR
                              • WAILUA VALLEY AND WATERFALLS TOUR
                                WAILUA VALLEY AND WATERFALLS TOUR
                              • POIPU AND KOLOA DRIVING TOUR
                                POIPU AND KOLOA DRIVING TOUR
                              • SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK TOUR
                                SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK TOUR
                              • CLASSIC ROAD TO HANA TOUR
                                CLASSIC ROAD TO HANA TOUR
                              • LOOP ROAD TO HANA (Road Closed)
                                LOOP ROAD TO HANA (Road Closed)
                              • REVERSE ROAD TO HANA (Road Closed)
                                REVERSE ROAD TO HANA (Road Closed)
                              • SUNSET AND STARGAZING HALEAKALA TOUR
                                SUNSET AND STARGAZING HALEAKALA TOUR
                              • WEST MAUI COASTLINE TOUR
                                WEST MAUI COASTLINE TOUR
                              • GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR
                                GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR
                              • EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
                                EAST OAHU SHORELINE DRIVE
                              • HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONOLULU TOUR
                                HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONOLULU TOUR
                              • HONOLULU'S BACKYARD RAINFOREST TOUR
                                HONOLULU'S BACKYARD RAINFOREST TOUR
                              • HEART OF WAIKIKI WALKING TOUR
                                HEART OF WAIKIKI WALKING TOUR
                              • LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE LOOP
                                LEGENDARY NORTH SHORE LOOP
                              Your purchase gives back
                              Your purchase gives back
                              Tours never expire
                              Tours never expire
                              Money-back guaranteed
                              Money-back guaranteed

                              Customer Reviews

                              Maui

                              So helpful to people who want to see the sights and see things we never would have known about!!

                              McNeal Family

                              What an excellent way to enjoy the Road to Hana. Excellent tips and details of history to enjoy and explore. This was extremely helpful!

                              Great app

                              My mom and I used this on our trip to Maui and we loved it. The guid was fun to listen too and we liked the music.

                              How It Works

                              how-it-work-sl.svg

                              Explore on Your Terms

                              It's your vacation - what you see and do is up to you. You choose where to stop on the tour and how long to stay.

                              Authentic Storytelling

                              Every tour stop, story and song has been carefully curated so you can make the most of your vacation.

                              Let Us Be Your Guide

                              We use GPS to give you reliable, turn-by-turn navigation to our favorite spots. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

                              Download App to your iOS or Android device

                              Tours work offline

                              Audio tours play based on your GPS location

                              Turn-by-turn navigation

                              Listen to interesting stories

                              shaka guide app qr code

                              Download The Shaka Guide App

                              Get The
                              Shaka Guide App

                              download-app-sec-img.png